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Psilotum nudum

(L.) P.Beauv. (1805)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Pteridophyta Class/Clade: Polypodiopsida Order: Psilotales Family: Psilotaceae Genus: Psilotum

moa, whisk fern

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form:

Stems:

Roots:

Leaves:

Sori:

Gametophyte:

Ploidy:

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

  • Branched stem used in children's game called 'moa nahele' (cock fighting), winner would announce victory by crowing like a rooster (Krauss 1993:88). Spores used like talcum powder (Valier 1995:4).

PROPAGATION/CULTIVATION

  • Grows well under medium to high light in moist-dry soils, as well as in well-drained, uncut moss (Hoshizaki & Moran 2002:470).

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Indigenous
Kaua'i Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Kaho'olawe Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Bibliography

Name Published In: Prodr. Aethéogam.: 112 (1805)

Other References

Palmer 2003:272 (Ni, K, O, Mo, L, M, Ka, H); Staples & Herbst 2005:46 (DESCR); Kennedy et al. 2010:23 (Mi).

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Scientific Name Authorship Locality Habitat Basis of Record Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
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